Lubricant dispenser



E. SANET Nov. 14, 1967 LUBRICANT DISPENSER Filed July 2, 1965 4o INNEN-Vol2 f EDM/@QD SQA/ET ey W M AGENT United States Patent O 3,352,623 LUBRICANT DESPENSER Edward Sanet, Los Angeles County, Calif. (251 Dundee Road, Stamford, Conn. G6tl3) Filed July 2, 1965, Ser. No. 469,359 13 Claims. (Cl. itil-i831) ABSTRACT F THE DlSCLOSURE The dispenser disclosed herein includes an elongated tubular case employed to confine a quantity of lubricating lluid. A biturcated blunt tip closes one end of the case and a lubricating chamber is formed in the tip in communication with the bifurcation. A passageway formed in the tip communicates the lubricating fluid with the lubricating chamber so that the tluid may be supplied to the cutting edge of a razor blade.

This invention relates to dispensing devices for lubricating duid and more particularly to a razor blade lubricator for distributing a heavy lubricant along the cutting edge of a razor blade or the like.

Razor blades of the type used for individual or personal purposes installed in implements such as safety razors or the like are particularly subject to rust and corrosion which adversely alTects and damages the cutting edge of the blade. Also, continued use of a razor blade results in the cutting edge thereof becoming dull so that subsequent usage of the blade after initial use causes skin irritation and small annoying cuts to the user.

Various razor blade lubricators have been employed in the past for applying a lubricating fluid to the blade for deterring rust and corrosion. However, such lubricators generally include absorbent pads saturated with the fluid through which the razor blade is drawn or in some instances, the uid may be metered from a reservoir by drawing the cutting edge of the blade through an expandable nozzle which opens a dispensing orice permitting the fluid to communicate with the blade.

Several diiiiculties and problems have been encountered when employing such conventional devices which stem largely from the fact that absorbent pads fail to store an adequate supply of lubricating iluid and metering devices have a tendency to be overcontrolled. Consequently, either too great a quantity of iluid is distributed to the blade or insuflicient uid is available for adequately covering the blade length. Furthermore, in order to use conventional lubricators, it is necessary to remove the blade from its installation in a holder and to grasp or hold the blade by the users lingers as it is drawn through the lubricator. Obviously, such a procedure is hazardous and undesirable.

Accordingly, these diculties are obviated by the present invention in which a specially shaped and formed dispensing nozzle is operably coupled to a lubricant reservoir whereby the nozzle is adapted to receive the cutting edge of a blade while such a blade is assembled in a holder for applying a thin iilm of heavy lubricant across the cutting edge to deter oxidation of the blade material and to provide an anti-friction boundary between the cutting edge and the skin of a user. The nozzle includes a biurcated tip through which the blade cutting edge is drawn while lubricant is introduced to the edge under pressure. The bifurcation terminates in a cross bore which serves as a lubricating station or chamber into which the lubricant is injected and includes guide means for assisting the user in aligning the blade with the bifurcation and the lubricating station.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel dispensing device for distributing lubricant evenly along the cutting edge of a razor blade CII ICC

wherein a quantity of lubricant is metered under pressure to the cutting edge.

Another object of the present invention pertains to a novel dispensing device for applying a thin hlm of heavy lubricating fluid along the cutting edge of a razor blade While the blade is held and retained in its normal position on the razor.

Still a further object of the present invention resides in a novel razor blade lubricator which is ot simple form and construction, compact and economical whereby the entire length of a razor blade cutting edge may be quickly and easily lubricated while the blade is installed in its regular position in a razor blade holder.

A further object of the present invention resides in a novel razor blade cutting edge lubricator having a bifurcated tip for receiving the cutting edge and a lubricating chamber communicating therewith into which a lubricant is introduced to the chamber for distribution along the length of the edge by drawing the lubricator over the razor blade to mechanically remove moisture from the blade, to seal the edge against oxidation and to provide a boundary lubrication between the edge and the skin of a user.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a perspective View of the novel lubricator of the present invention as it would appear in use with a razor blade installed in a conventional razor holder;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged perspective View of the lubricator shown in FIGURE l illustrating the lubricant dispensing nozzle;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional View of the dispensing nozzle taken in the direction of arrows 3 3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the dispenser nozzle taken in the direction of arrows 4.*4 of FGURE 3;

FIGURES 5 and 6 represent still another nozzle embodiment of the present invention; and

FEGURE 7 is a sectional View of another nozzle embodirnent.

Referring to FIGURE 1, a conventional razor blade holder is shown in the general direction of arrow 1d which is suitable for retaining one type of a conventional razor blade indicated at numeral l1 to expose an elongated cutting edge 12, The holder comprises, in general, an elongated handle i3 having one end thereof secured to a head ifi including a pair of curved support members l5 and 16 adjustably connected together to support the blade il therebetween. ln the present instance, the razor holder shown will accommodate a conventional double-edged razor blade and further includes on opposite sides of the lower support member 15, a plurality of smooth and rounded projections which comprise a comb i8. The member 16 of the razor head is drawn by suitable means (not shown) contained in the handle against the razor blade such that the sharp cutting edge 12 of the blade extends beyond the edge of the upper member so that only the sharp cutting edge of the blade is exposed while the blade is held tight and firm in the head of the razor. As shown, the razor head has not been tightened down to lirmly secure the blade in .place so that the lubricator can be readily positioned to service the blade cutting edge.

The improved lubricator of the present invention shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, includes an elongated, thin-walled llexible tube Ztl, which may be composed of plastic or the like, adapted to serve as a reservoir for a quantity of lubricating Huid, grease or the like, of dense viscosity,

such as indicated at 21 in FIGURE 3. The barrel 20 is enclosed Vat its rear extremity by means of any suitable closure and at its forward extremity by means of a dispensing nozzle indicated in the general direction of arrow 22. The nozzle may be attached to the forward end of the tube by any suitable means such as a screw fit or an interference type iit or the like. The nozzle, as illustrated, engages the tubular reservoir in threaded relationship about a knurled portion 23 so as to form a substantially airtight joint.

The nozzle includes an elongated dispenser body portion 24 which extends from the knurled portion 23 in decreasing diameter to a specially formed blunt flat ended bifurcated tip indicated in the general direction of numeral 25. The specially formed tip includes a central slot 26 formed therein which opens on the sides of the tip and on the forward end thereof so as to insertably receive the edge of the razor blade which is installed in its holder. The slot 26 is defined by a pair of projections 2'7 and 23 carrying opposing parallel spaced apart surfaces 30 and 31 which are cantilevered from the tip body about a cross bore 32 and are separated by a small clearance sufficient enough to accommodate the insertion and withdrawal of a razor blade thickness. To assist in alignment of the blade with the slot and bore, the side edge marginal region of the surfaces 30 and 31 are formed with a chamfer such as chamfer 33 which serves as a guide means for the blade cutting edge.

The slot terminates rearwardly in communication with the open ended bore 30 located transversely to the central longitudinal axis of the nozzle. Preferably, the tip is composed of live rubber, plastic or the like so that inadvertent engagement of the blade with the tip will not cause damage to the sharp cutting edge thereof. The tip may be readily secured to the dispensing body portion 24 of the nozzle by any suitable mechanical interlocking means, adhesive, or the like.

The nozzle, including the tip and dispensing body portion, is provided with a continuous feeder bore 34 which communicates the interior of the tube reservoir with the transverse bore 32 so that the lubricant, under pressure, may be forced through an orice 35 in the wall of the bore into contact with the blade cutting edge as the blade is drawn through the slot. For satisfactory results, it is only necessary that a small quantity of lubricating uid be present at the orifice to adequately distribute the lubricant along the length of the blade cutting edge.

Referring now to FIGURES -7, a modification of the present invention is shown wherein the cross bore 32 has been modified so as to provide a pair of converging flared side walls 35 and 37 converging from the sides of the tip inward to terminate at the orifice 35. This modification provides a larger entrance through the bore than the embodiment shown in FIGURES l-4 which increases the ease with which the corner of a cutting edge may be inserted into the slot and cross bore. Furthermore, an edge 38 is provided Where the'converging walls of the bore meet or merge which provides a shaped orifice adapted to hold a drop or small quantity of lubricant which is presented to the blade edge. The lubricant reservoir is illustrated in FIGURE 7 as being modified so that an interior wall 40 provided in the nozzle communicates with the interior of the tube 20. Oriiice 35, thus represents a small aperture permitting lubricant 21 to be directly dispensed therethrough without the provision for feeder tube 34. Although the slot 26 produces successful results, it is to be noted that a slit 41 may be employed into which the blade may be inserted.

In use, when it is desired to service a razor blade, the tube 20, as employed in the embodiment shown in FIG- URES l4, is gripped in one hand with the thumb and fingers engaging the walls thereof and by squeezing movement of the thumb and fingers, the lubricant 21 is moved forward from its reservoir to the oriiice 35 via the feeder tube 34 so that a small portion of quantity of lubricant is introduced to the orifice 35. The razor, having the razor blade 11 to be serviced installed thereon, is held in the other hand as the blade is inserted into the slot 26 and the cutting edge 12 thereof introduced to the cross bore 32. The cantilevered blunt end of the tip projection 31 abuts against the edge'of the razor head member 16 so that the blade cutting edge will be properly disposed within the lubricating chamber -on cross bore 32. Such abutment also serves to guide the lubricator across the length of the bladerThe lubricator is then drawn across the cutting edge of the blade so that an adequate quantity of lubricant present, under pressure, at orifice 35 is evenly distributed across both sides Vof the cutting edge of the blade. The lubricator as it passes across the entire length of the blade cutting edge between its opposite ends lubricates the lcutting edge throughout by frictional contact with the orifice.

When the lubrication is completed, the lubricator is withdrawn from the blade leaving a thin lilm of lubricant on the cutting edge of the blade to resist rust and corrosion and to provide boundary lubrication between the blade cutting edge and the skin of the user.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects, and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. A uid dispenser for lubricating the cutting edge of a razor blade comprising:

an elongate-d flexible tubular case adapted to contain a quantity of lubricating fluid;

a bifurcated blunt nosed tip closing one end of said tubular case for slidably receiving the blade;

an open ended lubricating chamber formed in said tip in communication with the bifurcation of said tip;

and

said tip having a passage means disposed between said lubricating uid and said lubricating chamber so as to communicate said lubricating fluid under pressure to the cutting edge of the blade. 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 including blade guide means formed on the sides of said tip to aid insertion of the blade into the bifurcation.

3. The invention as dened in claim 1 whereinsaid lubricating uid is characterized by its ability to cling to the blade so as to substantially cover the cutting edge thereof to prevent air and moisture from combining to attack the material of the blade.

4. A iiuid dispenser for lubricating the cutting e-dge of a razor blade comprising:

an elongated flexible tubular case for enclosing a quantity of lubricating fluid; j

an elongated bifurcated blunt tip closing one end of said tubular case adapted to slidably receive the razor blade;

an open-ended lubricating chamber formed in sai-dtip 4transverse to the longitudinal axis of said tip and in communication with the bifurcation of said ti-p so that the cutting edge of the blade projects therein; and

said tip having a passage means communicating said lubricating fluid with the side of said lubricating chamber opposite to its side communicating with said tip bifurcation so as to supply said lubricating uid, under pressure, to the cutting edge of the blade as the dispenser is drawn across the length of the blade.

5. A fluid dispenser for lubricating the cutting edge of a razor blade comprising:

an elongated tubular case adapted to contain a quantity of lubricating fluid;

an elongated tip closing one end of said tubular case and having a pair of cantilevered projections extending outwardly in parallel spaced relationship so as to receive a portion of the blade therebetween;

an open ended lubricating chamber formed in said tip at the rear of said -projections to receive the blade cutting edge and extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of said tip; and said tip having a passage means communicating said lubricating duid with said lubricating chamber so as to supply said lubricating fluid to the cutting edge of the blade as the dispenser is drawn across the length of the blade. 6. A fluid dispenser for lubricating the cut-ting edge of a razor blade retained in a holder comprising:

an elongated tiexible tubular case adapted -to contain a quantity of lubricating iuid;

an elongated tip closing one end of said tubular case and having a .pair of cantilevered projections extending outwardly in parallel spaced relationship so as to slidably receive a portion of the blade therebetween;

an open ended lubricating chamber formed in said tip at the rear of said projections to receive the blade cutting edge and extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of said tip; and

said tip having a passage means lying on the central longitudinal axis of sai-d case communicating said lubricating duid with said lubricating chamber so as to selectively supply said lubricating fluid under pressure lby ilexing said case to the cutting edge of the blade as the dispenser is drawn across the length of the blade.

7. A uid dispenser for lubricating the cutting edge of a razor blade while the blade is retained in a holder, the combination comprising:

an elongated tlexible tubular case containing a quantity of lubricating uid and adapted to be squeezed by the fingers and thumb of a user;

an elongated tip carried on said case to close one end of said case and including a pair of cantilevered projections extending outwardly in parallel spaced relationship adapted to slidably receive a portion of the blade therebetween;

an open ended cross bore formed in said tip normal to the longitudinal axis of said tip to receive the cutting edge of the blade disposed between said pair of projections; and

said tip having a passage means communicating said lubricating uid with said cross bore so as to de- -posit said lubricating uid on the cutting edge under pressure as the case is squeezed as the dispenser is drawn across the length of the blade.

8. A uid dispenser for lubricating the cutting edge of a razor blade while the blade is retained in a holder, the combination comprising:

an elongated flexible tubular case containing a quantity of lubricating Huid an-d adapted to 1be squeezed by the ngers and thumb of a user;

an elongated tip carried on said case -to close one end of said case and including a pair of cantilevered projections extending outwardly in .parallel spaced relationship adapted to slidably receive a portion of the blade therebetween;

blade guide means formed von the sides of said projections to aid insertion of the blade between said Y pair of projections; an open ended cross bore formed in said tip normal to the longitudinal axis of said tip to receive the cutting edge of the blade disposed between said -pair of projections; and

said tip having a passage lmeans communicating said lubricating iluid with said cross bore so as to deposit said lubricating uid on the cutting edge under pressure when the case is squeezed as the dispenser is drawn across the length of the blade.

9. The invention as deiined in claim 3 wherein said guide means includes a pair of converging chamfers terminating at one end with said cross bore and on their opposite end with the extremity of said tip.

1i). The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein one projection of said pair being slidably engageable with the holder so that such engagement serves as a guide for the dispenser as the dispenser is drawn across the length of the blade.

11. The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein said projections include a pair Iof opposing flat surfaces separated by a space so as to form a slot therebetween to slidably receive the blade.

12. The invention as dened in claim 1t? wherein said projections include a pair of opposing at surfaces normally engaged t0 provide a slit between said pair of projections to slidably receive the blade.

13. The invention as defined in claim 12 wherein said guide means includes ared entrances on the opposite sides of said tip leading into said cross bore for accommodating the insertion of the blade therein.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 530,135 12/1894 Stuebner 15-541 1,189,565 7/1916 Stockton 15-512 X 1,586,262 5/1926 Noble l5-5l2 X 2,908,923 10/1959 Schlechter 15-541 X 3,106,740 10/1963 Dukes 15-512 CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner. E. L. ROBERTS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A FLUID DISPENSER FOR LUBRICATING THE CUTTING EDGE OF A RAZOR BLADE COMPRISING: AN ELONGATED FLEXIBLE TUBULAR CASE ADAPTED TO CONTAIN A QUANTITY OF LUBRICATING FLUID; A BIFURCATED BLUNT NOSED TIP CLOSING ONE END OF SAID TUBULAR CASE FOR SLIDABLY RECEIVING THE BLADE; AN OPEN ENDED LUBRICATING CHAMBER FORMED IN SAID TIP IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE BIFURCATION OF SAID TIP; AND SAID TIP HAVING A PASSAGE MEANS DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID LUBRICATING FLUID AND SAID LUBRICATING CHAMBER SO AS TO COMMUNICATE SAID LUBRICATING FLUID UNDER PRESSURE TO THE CUTTING EDGE OF THE BLADE. 